The integration of Land Rover headlights and Range Rover tails gives Andy Day’s ’88 Toyota a definite edgy appeal, but it’s the quality of unseen execution that places it steps ahead of what’s typically considered finished. You see, this truck was built in the name of redemption since Andy had the exact same model 10 years ago but was forced to scrap it due to things getting thrashed beyond repair during the construction phase. He wasn’t about to make the same mistakes again.

"I pretty much built the entire truck myself, so throughout the process, I moved around from job to job to learn all the skills I would need to pull off all the modifications I wanted to make," comments Andy on his second take. "I got a B.S. job at a body shop to learn how to properly tape and prep my truck for paint, which I did end up painting myself. I even worked at a stereo shop to learn how to fiberglass. I did this with everything." Within a period of three and a half years, Andy learned whatever he could and turned his new skills and knowledge into a physical manifestation. "A lot of people told me this truck would never be done, but anything is possible if you want it bad enough."

Andy purchased his new Toyota project relatively cheap, considering it was a haggard mess when he bought it, but for what the truck would soon evolve into, it was steal. A rear frame was built from scratch, and Andy even admits to designing the rear ’bag mounts while he was drinking one night. Remember kids, inspiration can flourish from the most unlikely of sources. Taking what he had learned from his string of recent gigs, Andy then bodydropped his pickup, and everything else became a blur from that point on. One-off control arms were fabricated, tons of sheetmetal work materialized, and an attempt to swap in ’05 Tacoma headlights was made but didn’t work due to their shape. A new bodyline was added to the front fenders and a hood scoop from a Subaru Forester was even thrown in for bonus style points. "I put a lot of thought into every little detail on this truck. It took me a long time but there was a lot of sitting back and just staring at the truck for ideas. I also took a couple breaks in between to regroup and clear my head to make sure I didn’t do anything I wouldn’t like later on."

From looking at the overall quality of the array of modifications, you’d swear the truck’s creator had every expensive tool and piece of machinery available at an arm’s reach but that just isn’t the truth. When true creativity and ingenuity kick in, even the most rudimentary of methods can achieve the desired results. Andy couldn’t help but agree. "We used a welding bottle to build the transmission tunnel and a light pole down the street to roll the driveshaft tunnel. We bent the floor supports using a steel pole that just happened to be outside the shop I worked at."

In what is his second stab at building a streamlined, sophisticated truck, Andy made every cut count and made up for the opportunity he let slip through his hands years ago. "The confirmation of my success was seeing my truck parked at the 2010 SEMA Show. This has been something I have been working for ever since I got into customizing."

Special Thanks From Owner
I want to thank my big brother Mike he has been there through the whole build and has put in as much work as I have. My wife Kari, my parents, all my friends and club members, and everyone who has helped with the build. I also want to thank Aaron Hunt and Eric Harbor for helping me get the truck to SEMA 2010. A big thanks goes out to all of my sponsors.